A Day Out in London - The Tower of London - Part One

After what seemed to have been months of grey dull weather we awoke to a glorious winters day.  Very cold but fabulous with a clear blue sky.  Dressed in my warm coat and hat we set off for London.

Our destination of the day was the Tower of London.

It didn't take me long to become acquainted with one of the Yeoman Warders who informed me that I looked very much like he did when he was young!

The guardsmen always look so serious - I can't imagine how they can stand for so long in one place staying straight ahead- I wonder what they think about?!

Later on in the afternoon we caught the changing of the guard which was quite exciting.

Arghh, they are coming right for me!

Phew, they passed me by.

There were lots of animals dotted around the place....  

For six hundred years, the Tower of London's most exotic prisoners were animals!

The elephant was sent to England in 1255 by the King of France - the only elephant ever seen in England at this time.  

A 'School of Monkeys' first arrived around 1799, but were disbanded in when one of the monkeys 'tore a boy's leg'!

They certainly look like they are eyeing up the tourists!

Watch out, it is behind you!

The animals travelled to England from various countries in wooden crates.  

I wondered if they all survived such a journey?

Hey, I am not an exotic animal!  Let me out of here.

The only wild animals to remain today are the seven ravens (one spare) who are looked after by the Ravenmaster.

They eat at amazing 170g of raw meat a day, as well as bird biscuits soaked in blood. Yuck!  Rather them than me.  I don't even like soaking my biscuits in a cup of tea.  They also enjoy an egg once a week, a rabbit complete with fur occasionally and scrapes of fried bread.

I look at one of the guns.  

Admire the metals in the Fusiliers' Museum.  

Say hello to a gentleman all dressed up - he didn't say hello back for some reason.

Inside the White Tower I was amazed at the armoury both for the horses and men.

I got to use the Royal toilet!

Isn't the White Tower just impressive? Especially against the blue sky.

We could see the Tower Bridge.

Climbing up the steps in the White Tower

It is a long way up!

Walking along the Wall walk.

They had men with arrows on look out to protect against invaders.

Loading up his cross bow.

Looking down onto the courtyards of the homes of people who live in the Tower grounds

This was a bit grizzly - told of the 12 people who got executed during wartime.

It showed the reasons why and the things that had been found in their possession.

Well that is the end of Part One - we took a lot of photos and there was so much to do and look at.  It really was a very interesting day.  

Junior's Holiday - What to do on a rainy day?

Junior and I look rather dismayed

We look out the window

to see yet more rain....which is spoiling any thoughts of outdoor play.

What shall we do today is the question we ask each other....

I know, how about we make one of my lego models?  

This one is of an elephant.

Gosh lots of packets Henry!  Junior says to me.

We open the packets up and look at all the pieces...

How are we going to make an elephant out of these?

Well I think we need to make the base first.  Junior suggests as he looks at the pieces he has in his hand.

We both start putting pieces together

I work on the head.

Eventually we get the elephant made.  Junior having done the finishing touches.

He passes it over to me so I can put it on the base which is supposed to imitate grass!

One elephant!

Thee you go Junior, what do you think?  I ask

Junior comes over.

Looks pretty good to me he says.

Yeah!  We have finished!  We cheer.

I go and get the other animals I have made with other friends who have come to stay to compare them.  

You will have a zoo soon!  Junior says.

Now what to do I wonder?  Is it lunch time yet?

A New Visitor has come to stay!

Much excitement today as a  new visitor arrives to have a holiday with me over the Christmas period.  It has been ages since I have had a guest - we are going to have such fun together.  Today we opened the Advent Calendar - of which all Advent posts are posted over here.  However, I have copied today's opening down below. 

Junior, my mate, I am so glad you are able to come and stay - and just in time to open one of the Advent Calendar windows!  Henry says as Junior arrives to have a Holiday with Henry.

Me too!  Junior agrees.

The boys search for window number 22.

It proves elusive for a while...

...finally....Junior spots it.

He excitedly opens it.

While Henry watches.

Oh, wow!  Looks like treasure!  Junior exclaims.

Excellent!  Henry says.  I thought today might be the day for treasure. It goes in the little treasure chest down there.   Henry points.

Junior gets down on the floor to put the gold coins in the chest.

I wonder how much all this gold is worth?!  He ponders....

So what do you think Henry? Junior asks.

Looks good, but I don't think the gold is probably worth much...  but it would be fun to imagine it was worth millions!  Henry says.  Come on let's play.

The boys get down on the floor to play.